Colonial and overseas clergy

This sub sub sub fonds is divided into 8 series as follows:

• Application forms, 1884-1894 [Col.C/1]
• Registers of permissions & licences granted, 1874-1913, 1914-1939, 1940-1978 [Col.C/2]
• Indexes to registers, 1874-1939 [Col.C/3]
• Letters to York Diocesan Registrar of permissions & licences issued by the Archbishop of Canterbury, 1916-1951 [Col.C/4]
• Correspondence re colonial clergy, 1947-1967 [Col.C/5]
• Files for clergy under the provisions of the Ordinations for Colonies Act (1819), 1865-1867.
• Files for clergy under the provisions of the Colonial Clergy Act (1874), the files often include letters testimonial, and sometimes include application forms, ordination papers, doctors' testimonials, newspaper cuttings & printed pamphlets. The files are arranged annually, then alphabetically within each year. 1889-1929 & unlisted files 1930-1967.
• Files for clergy under the provisions of the Overseas & Other Clergy (Ministry & Ordination) Measure (1967). Unlisted 1967-1998.

Under the Ordination for Colonies Act (1819) the Archbishops of Canterbury & York and the Bishop of London were able to ordain ministers for the cure of souls in the sovereign's colonies or foreign possessions. Clergy from the colonies or elsewhere were not permitted to officiate in England without the written permission of the archbishop of the province in which they intended to serve. Licences to officiate were granted in accordance with the provisions of the Colonial Clergy Act (1874). The Colonial Clergy Act was superseded by the Overseas & Other Clergy (Ministry & Ordination) Measure (1967).

A hard copy finding aid is available at the Borthwick Institute for the following:

• Col.C/1-5
• Files of correspondence under the provisions of the Ordination for Colonies Act (1819), 1865-1867.
• Files of correspondence under the provisions of the Colonial Clergy Act (1874), 1889-1929. The files are listed annually, then alphabetically within each year.